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Abstract:

An apparatus for holding a measurement object, particularly an auto body
component in a reference position, comprises a clamping device, which can
be attached to a carrier head, and which extends over the measurement
object and holds it against the carrier head, and comprises a clamping
element that can be placed against the measurement object. The clamping
device comprises a lockable slide for adjusting the position of the
clamping element.

Claims:

1. An apparatus for holding a measurement object and, in a reference
position, comprising a clamping device which can be attached to a carrier
head and which extends over the measurement object and holds the
measuring object against the carrier head, and a clamping element that is
placed against the measurement object, the clamping device comprising a
lockable slide for adjusting the position of the clamping element.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide can be moved
parallel to an advancement axis of the carrier head.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device can be
pivoted against the carrier head.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device
partially embraces the carrier head with a fork part.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the fork part is guided in
a peripheral groove around the carrier head.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the fork part is integrally
formed with a carrier body forming a slide guide.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a locking screw is provided
on at least one fork part, the locking screw having a screw axis that
lies beyond a center line of the carrier head in the direction of a free
leg.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a slide comprises a stud
having a circular cross-section.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a screw which is coaxial
with respect to the sliding stud is provided for generating a clamping
force.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stud comprises a
longitudinal groove for engaging a locking pin so as to secure the
sliding stud and prevent rotation.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement object is
an auto body component.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device can
be pivoted against the carrier head around the advancement axis.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for holding a measurement
object, and particularly an auto body component to be measured, in a
reference position, comprising a clamping device, which can be attached
to a carrier head, extends over the measurement object and holds it
against the carrier head, and comprises a clamping element that can be
placed against the measurement object.

[0002] Apparatuses having clamping devices of this sort are known from
implementations wherein clamping elements that can be placed against the
measurement object are connected to a lever, which can be pivoted between
the carrier head and the clamping element against a spring force for the
purpose of clamping the measurement object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus of the
type described above, which enables a more precise arrangement of the
measurement object in the reference position, with reduced clamping
complexity.

[0004] The apparatus according to the invention by which this object is
achieved is characterized in that the clamping apparatus comprises a
lockable slide for adjusting the position of the clamping element.

[0005] Advantageously, the lockable slide allows for linear adjustment of
the position of the clamping element, which can be oriented with respect
to the carrier head so that there is no transverse component that
displaces the measurement object and lowers the accuracy of the clamping
position.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the slide can be moved
parallel to a carrier head advancement axis.

[0007] In a further embodiment of the invention, the clamping device can
be pivoted against the carrier head, and preferably around this
advancement axis. In this manner, the clamping device can be disposed at
a clamping site in various manners, so as to adapt to different
measurement objects.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the clamping device embraces the carrier
head with a forked part, the fork part preferably being guided in a
groove extending peripherally on the carrier head, and preferably around
the advancement axis.

[0009] The fork part may be integrally formed with a carrier body that
forms a slide guide.

[0010] The slide preferably comprises a stud having a circular
cross-section. The slide guide can thus be easily produced by way of
boring.

[0011] Advantageously, a screw which is coaxial with respect to the stud,
is provided for generating a clamping force.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the stud also has a
longitudinal groove for engaging a locking pin, which secures the stud so
as to prevent rotation.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, a locking screw is
provided on at least one fork leg of the fork part, the locking screw
having a screw axis that is offset with respect to the center line of the
carrier head in the direction of the free leg.

[0014] The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter based on
an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings referencing this
exemplary embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of a clamping device
according to the invention, which is attached to a carrier head,

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the clamping device of FIG. 1 rotated
90° with respect to the side view of FIG. 1, and

[0017]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the clamping devices of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] A carrier head 1 for receiving an auto body component 2 to be
measured can be moved by a holding and moving device, which is not shown,
along an advancement axis 3 into a desired support position. A clamping
device 4 is attached to the carrier head 1, which is rotation-symmetrical
in the embodiment shown.

[0019] The clamping device 4 comprises a holding body 5, which is made of
a brass and bronze alloy, having a fork part 6, which embraces the
carrier 1 over a portion of the circumference thereof. The holding body 5
further comprises a guide bore 7 for a sliding stud 8, having a circular
cross-section. The sliding stud 8 can be displaced parallel to the
advancement axis 3 in the guide bore 7.

[0020] At one end, the sliding stud 8 is connected to a threaded bolt 9
protruding from the guide bore 7, a knurled nut 10 that is coaxial with
respect to the sliding stud 8 being screwed onto the threaded bolt. At
the other end, a laterally protruding clamping plate 11 is attached to
the sliding stud 8.

[0021] A screw 12, which is coaxially screwed into the sliding stud 8, is
used to connect the clamping plate 11 made of hardened material to the
sliding stud 8. In addition to the screw connection, the clamping plate
11 and the sliding stud 8 are connected by an adhesive bond.

[0022] A non-threaded end of a threaded pin 14 engages in a longitudinal
groove 13 provided in the sliding stud 8, and is locked in a threaded
bore 16 in the holding part 5 by way of a nut 15.

[0023] A washer 17 protecting the holding part is disposed between the
knurled nut 10 and the holding part 5. The knurled nut 10 has a head part
18 with contact surfaces for a lathe tool at the end facing away from the
washer.

[0024] A bore for a grub screw 19 or 20, for locking the leg to the
carrier head 1, is provided on each of the two legs of the fork part 6 of
the holding body 5. As differs from that shown in the figures, the screw
axes of the grub screws can be offset relative to the advancement axis,
or center line 3, of the carrier head 1, in the direction of the free leg
ends, so that the holding body 5 can be connected by the grub screws 19,
20 to the carrier head 1, not only by non-positive engagement, but also
by positive engagement. A protrusion 21, which engages in an annular
groove 22 extending around the periphery of the carrier head 1, runs on
the inside of the legs of the fork part 6.

[0025] The clamping plate 11 is moved close to the auto body part 2 by
displacing the sliding stud 8, and the clamping pate 11 is pulled close
to the auto body component 2 by tightening the knurled nut 10, whereby
the auto body part 2 held against the carrier head 1 can be clamped to
the carrier head 1.

[0026] If the component at the clamping site changes, for example if
additional sheet metal layers are added, as shown in FIG. 1 by dotted
lines, the clamping connection can easily be adjusted.